The Nigerian Federal Ministry of Health has issued a directive for the immediate disengagement of all directors who have served eight years or more in the directorate cadre, affecting senior officials across the ministry, federal hospitals, and affiliated agencies.
The action, outlined in an internal memo from the Office of the Permanent Secretary, enforces a nationwide civil service policy mandating compulsory retirement after eight years in the director rank. This policy is anchored in the Revised Public Service Rules 2021 (PSR 020909). The memo, signed by Tetshoma Dafeta, specifies that all affected officers must be disengaged effective December 31, 2025.
This directive aligns with a recent circular from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, which set the deadline. Heads of all agencies and parastatals under the Ministry of Health are instructed to ensure affected officers hand over all official documents and government property promptly. The Integrated Personnel and Payroll Information System (IPPIS) unit has been directed to stop the salaries of these officers, with any post-disengagement payments requiring refund to the treasury.
Furthermore, institutional heads must submit a nominal roll of all directorate officers (CONMESS 07/CONHESS 15/CONRAISS 15) to specified email addresses by a set deadline. The memo warns that officials from the Head of Civil Service’s office and the Ministry will conduct a monitoring exercise to verify compliance. It states unequivocally that failure to adhere to these instructions will result in “stiff sanctions.”
The enforcement underscores a concerted effort by the federal government to rigorously apply the eight-year tenure policy across the public service, aimed at rejuvenating the civil service cadre and ensuring rotational leadership. The move affects key administrative and managerial positions within Nigeria’s federal health institutions and signals a non-negotiable implementation of the civil service reform guidelines.
